Describes Seattle Central Community College's Coordinated Studies Program (CSP)--a thematic, team-taught, and interdisciplinary set of humanities and social science courses taught as a single course. Compares CSP students' outcomes with the academic performance and persistence of other students, revealing the benefits of CSP's peer and teacher…

This article examines the unique organizational structure of middle schools and the historical context leading to their development. A true middle school is described as providing personalized curricula for the learning needs of diverse learners through use of problem-oriented interdisciplinary teams and flexible grouping practices. (JDD)

Since middle school students like to read about sports and physical activities, physical education teachers can tie their reading interests to class activities. The paper explains how to find out how students use their free time and what their interests and likes are. Suggestions for interdisciplinary activities are included. (SM)

Presents a sample lesson plan using Discipline Based Art Education (DBAE), an approach that integrates social studies with related content from other disciplines. The lesson plan combines economics, art history, aesthetics, and art criticism in its "Analysis of a Fresco Depicting Production in an American City." Includes follow-up…

Vincent Scully, Yale art historian, discusses urban architecture, classical influences, and the role of technology. He argues for a public architecture that expresses and supports the concept of communities, and discusses the decline and rebirth of American cities. (MJP)

Forward-looking educators are teaching students to be flexible, creative thinkers by using cooperative learning, authentic assessments, interdisciplinary units taught to heterogeneous groups. Principals should facilitate appropriate staff development, build master planning schedule providing for team planning periods, allow staff members to attend…

This analysis describes some of the general features of art and goes on to look at what the artistic treatment of research entails. Artistically crafted research that includes coherence, imagery, and particularity can help to explain what is important about schools. Further, the education of teachers should be regarded as the education of artists.…

Describes how three teachers developed projects that connect classroom learning with the larger world. A second-grade class collects tea bag tags with applications in many subjects; fifth-grade students launched a stream clean-up; a middle school summer school communication class researched whether O.J. Simpson should stand trial for murder and…

Data are considered for 152 children (ages 2 months to 6 years) who underwent brief developmental evaluation and referrals in response to parents' concerns. Members of a multidisciplinary team simultaneously observed and interacted with the children in an arena setting. Data largely confirmed parents' perceptions of their children's development.…

Diagnostic and treatment histories of 85 children and adolescents served in 2 exemplary school-based day-treatment programs in California were analyzed. Findings suggest a significant lag time between first symptoms, referral for services, and treatment; marked instability of psychiatric diagnoses over time; and lack of concordance between…

Principal aims of outdoor education at Belper School are to heighten awareness of and foster respect for self, others, and the natural environment. Outdoor education is committed to active learning through experiences that contribute to personal and social development. Running across the school curriculum, outdoor education breaks down subject…

Provides an interview with Brian Palecek, an English instructor at United Tribes Technical College (UTTC), in Bismarck, North Dakota, and an instructor in UTTC's Integrated Studies Program. Describes the program's attempts to provide an interdepartmental, theme-based curriculum as an alternative to traditional general education practices. (MAB)

Presents an original dramatic scene written as part of the requirements of a course entitled "Death in Psychology and the Theater." The assignment, based on students' research on a topic related to the psychology of death and dying, addressed AIDS and its effects on the caregiver. (RJM)

Explains how reading specialists can enhance both diagnosis and instruction of students. Argues that students, teachers, team members, and parents benefit when reading specialists are a part of multidisciplinary teams. Outlines potential contributions of reading specialists and how such specialists can offer specific assistance. Provides…

Suggestions for teaching Native American studies in the outdoors or the classroom include using accurate instructional materials, integrating Native American studies across the curriculum, connecting traditional values and beliefs to contemporary life, respecting Native culture, challenging stereotypes, being aware of students' cultural…